Global Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager

AFL•Duluth, GA

5d•Remote

About The Position

The Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager drives the adoption of next-gen optical technologies, specifically within the AI Scale-Up ecosystem. Acting as the bridge between R&D, hyperscale clients, OEMs, and System Integrators, this Manager will position our solutions as the "connective mesh" for future GPU clusters and Co-Packaged Optics. The Emerging Technologies and Innovation Manager is a visionary leader with deep technical expertise to guide the transition to scale-up compute fabrics and build high-impact partnerships across the AI landscape.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Optics, Physics, or related field; MBA or advanced technical (PhD/MS) degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in product development, strategic marketing, or technology partnerships in the optical communications, Semiconductor, or data center hardware.
Ecosystem Knowledge: Proven track record of working within the OEM/ODM and System Integrator ecosystem. Deep familiarity with the design cycles and qualification processes of major hardware manufacturers.
Technical Proficiency: Strong technical grasp of Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), silicon photonics, advanced semiconductor packaging, and the role of glass/fiber in high-performance computing (HPC).
Deep understanding of AI/ML architectures, optical fiber technologies, and hyperscale data center requirements.
Experience collaborating with global teams and navigating complex customer ecosystems.
Active participation in industry standards bodies (TIA, OIF, IEEE, IEC) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Strategic Ecosystem Development Navigate the AI Hardware Supply Chain: Move beyond direct hyperscale client engagement to cultivate deep technical partnerships with key OEMs and ODMs (e.g., Foxconn, Quanta, Supermicro, Celestica) and System Integrators designing rack-scale AI solutions.
AI Ecosystem Alignment: Develop specific engagement strategies for the different partner networks, focusing on platform compatibility with next-gen architectures (e.g., MGX, HGX, Spectrum-X). Ensure our emerging fiber technologies align with roadmaps for high-speed GPU interconnects and NVLink scale-up fabrics.
Joint Reference Architectures: Lead initiatives to qualify our fiber and optical components into OEM reference designs for AI servers and high-density switch chassis.
Hyperscale & ASIC Collaboration: Maintain high-level relationships with Lead Architects at Meta, AWS, Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia, while expanding influence to custom ASIC designers requiring specialized optical interposers or glass connectivity.
Emerging Solutions Portfolios Develop specific Solution Portfolios and roadmaps based on emerging fiber technologies (Multicore Fiber, Hollow core, Image Fiber, Ultra thin fiber, etc).
Track, Adapt and Prepare Business Unit technology strategies to the evolution of leading data center architectures
Develop relationships with different OEMs including Nvidia, Broadcom, Cisco and Coherent Base and create technology roadmaps on market leading AI ML architectures such as from Nvidia, Broadcom and leading ASIC providers
Focus on scale up AI ML network solutions such as shuffle boxes or optical back planes to support 576 GPUs and upwards connectivity within the rack
Focus on scale out solutions connectivity solutions including CPO based connectivity for spine and leaf
Significantly enhance AFL’s position in the market and at key customers as a thought leader on optical technologies
Joint Development and Technology Agreements Identify and execute joint development agreements with key partners for realization of innovation roadmaps that target emerging markets and customer needs
Advanced Optics & CPO: Champion the adoption of Multi-core Fiber (MCF), Hollow Core Fiber, and Glass Substrates specifically for Scale-Up (intra-rack/inter-chip) applications. Lead the development, then position our technology to solve density, thermal, and latency challenges in Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and optical-to-chip interconnects
Execute on joint development agreements into strategic adjacencies by developing partnerships that address new product opportunities across the Data Center, Cloud and AI connectivity ecosystem.
Thought Leadership Provide thought leadership at industry events on the fiber technologies and roadmaps
Promote the use of MCF via Chair position at Advanced Photonics Coalition
Seek partners and interest via Director Position at Advanced Photonics Consortium
Promote next gen fiber and connectivity solutions at OFC, ECOC, Optica and other industry events